Seat adjusting device



1 (June 20,

T. Igaf/MOULDUJG v2,351,778 l SEAT ADJUSTING DEVICE Filed Nov. l, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 lNvENTR THU/V145 6. NULD//VG June 20, 1944. y T. G. MOULDING 2,351,778

SEAT ADJUSTING DEVICE Filed Nov? 1, lss 4 sheets-sheet s INVENTOR f THOMAS G /VL D/NG June 20, `1944.

T. G. MoULDlNG 2,351,778 SEAT ADJUSTIG DEVICE Filed NOV. 1, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patente'clJune 20, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT oFrlcl-z SEAT ADJ USTIN G DEVICE l Thomas G.Mou1aing, Toledo, ohio Application November 1, 1939, Serial No. 302,273

8 Claims.

This invention relates to seat adjusting devices, more particularly to seat adjusting devices adapted for horizontal adjustment, in which spherical members are utilized as anti-friction means.

Ball bearings have been utilized in the prior art to provide an easy-sliding seat-adjusting device but these devices were not satisfactory, due to the fact that the spherical anti-friction devices or ball bearings were unstable in a lateral direction, the spheres serving as anti-friction members in the lateral axis as well as in the longitudinal axis of the runners, so that lateral displacement often resulted and disaligned the runners. the provision of a construction in which the spherical anti-friction devices are positioned in spaced relation both in the longitudinal and lateral axes of the runners, so that the longitudinal motion of the runners is relatively easy to attain and the relative lateral motion of the runners is substantially prevented. The lateral motion of the runners is undesirable and is substantially prevented in the contemplated construction by the application of load force on the anti-friction devices to act constrictively along convergent lines so as to balance the lateral force components. Vertical surfaces are contemplated to cooperate with the ball bearings positioned on both the movable and stationary runners to further prevent relative lateral displacement.

The construction contemplates the provision of runners contoured in a manner whereby the transmission of forces from a movable member or runner to a xed member or runner is 'attained by components acting at a convergent angle whereby the force, components are directed inwardly to a central neutral point which sub-` stantially balances the components `of the forces against each other. In this manner, the forces acting upon the spaced spherical members act at an angle, so that the lateral components of the forces act against each other to create a constrictive action which gives lateral stability to the structure.

One of the problems of the prior art has been.

to prevent racking or binding of the seat during its adjustment from one position to another, particularly when the force to move the seat is applied unequally to the runners. To solve this problem, rotating cross bars have been supplied which were generally provided with pinions at their ends to cooperate with racks on one portion of each of the runners, which allowed the movable portion of one runner, as it changed its The present invention contemplates position, to transfer this movementto the opposite movable member by means of the pinion on the cross bar cooperating with its rack. lThis construction had the disadvantage that it allowed considerable movement in each runner with lreference 'to the other arising from manufacturing tolerances, so that difficulty was often experienced by binding and in obtaining a proper locking action of the latch means for the runners when disposed in their newly adjusted position.

The present invention contemplates the provision of a seat adjusting device in which the rotating cross bar is completely eliminated and a structure is provided in which the parallelism of the runners is maintained during movement of the seat to the different adjusted positions to prevent binding or rackingf In the prior art structures, the greater the weight carried by the seat, the greater the diiliculty experienced due to the non-parallel movement in the sets of runners. In the` contemplated structure, the greater the weight positioned upon the seat, the greater tendency there is to prevent non-parallel action on the part of the runners.

The contemplated construction, furthermore, has the advantage of decreasing the number of parts which considerably decreases the cost of manufacture. A latching mechanism is also provided Which gives greater certainty of action and always locks the seat runners inthe same parallel relation.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a seat adjusting device utilizing spherical anti-friction devices which are spaced both in the lateral and the longitudinal axes of the runners, so that longitudinal movement of the runners is easily attained, while the lateral movement of the runners is substantially prevented by transmitting forces between the runners by convergent components and opposing the lateral forces applied to the spherical anti-friction devices.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a seat adjusting device which utilizes antifriction devices between all contiguous surfaces so as to obtain a maximum ease of movement between the runners of the` device. Y

It is a further object of this invention to provide a seat adjusting device in which spherical anti-friction members cooperate with horizontal and vertical surfaces on movable and stationary runner portions whereby anti-friction members will be effective to promote easy relative motion for the runner portions and provide stability by being spaced for the transmission of forces at several points.

will be apparent to those skilled in the art uponA consideration of the following description and appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specilication wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

Figure l is an end elevational view of the seat adjusting device of the present inventi-on.

Figure 2'is a plan `view of the runners.

Figure 3 is a plan View, partly inY section, showing the runners-'positionedon the seat block, anda locus of force application. toadjustl the seat. g f i FigureA l is Aan enlarged'sectional view taken along'the'line 4 4 otFigure 3. f L

Figure-5 is an end elevational View, showing the complete mechanism'illustrated npart l,in Figure 4 in its relation tothe-seat block.

Figure Gis aplan view ofga partcf the device showninFigure'. Q x 1 Figure 7- is a side elevational viewl of another form of latch mechanism.

Figure 8 is a plan-view, partly insection of' the mechanism illustrated in Figure 7.

Figure 9 is an elevational endvewloffthevde viceillustrated in Figure 7.

Referring to Figure-1 of the drawingaa seat block Ill is shown which may befofvstandard construction such as is utilized in automobiles and is adapted to vbe moved in a-horizontal-direction with relation'to a fixed plane orf surface li se as to determine the seating relation offan. operator with reference to a steeringy device or the like. Tovobtain. movement ofthe seatblock Iwith relation to the fixed surface II, a pair `of runners I2,- I3is provided, kcomprising movablefportions I4. which are adapted to be attached .tothe movable seat block I6 andIiXed-portions l5 whichare adapted to be attached to the xed surface-l I `by means of rigid upstanding brackets IIi.-v The movableand vfixed portions of the runners are adaptedftocooperatetogether through the medium of sphericalanti-fri'ction members .I7 -inf the nature of. ballV bearings to forman easy-sliding adjustable relation between them. Means are also provided to lockthe runners in flxedrelation after the predeterminedadjustment has been made, :and

the structures whereby these .results are attained are described in detail hereinafter. r v

The xedportion- I5 of a runneris an elongated channel whose vertical sidesI 5d are provided with outwardly extending flanges Ib. The base of the channel I5 is attached to the bracketslll. by means of rivets IIagwhich are, in turn, attached to the Xed surface I I` byv bolts ISb and` thereby hold the channel I5 in ixedrelation with the surfaceY II by supporting. the same at its endsas is` clearly shown in Figure `2. .The brackets I maybe conformed to suit `the contour of the fixed f surface l! and. may vary widely as is shown in Figures land 7.V y

Theoutwardly extendinganges i512 are preferably integral with the vertical portions 15d. of

the channel and are provided with raised portions I5c at their inner side, preferably adjacent the point where they are joined to the vertical sides I5a of the channel. The raised portions may take the form of a rounded section, extending longitudinally of the flange, and are provided to serve as abutments against which the spherical antifriction means or ball bearings l'I are adapted to ride, so that they may be held in position on a runway Idformed by the. outer section of the ange. The abi'itments [5c also-serve to carry lateral force components which are applied thereto by the ball bearings I l as will be described hereinafter.

` The movable portion or member ill, which is attached to the seat block lll is also an elongated channel which is adapted to embrace the channel-shaped fixed' portion l5 as is most clearly shown in Figure 4. The outer movable portion It is provided on its vertical sides Illa with inturned anges I4b which extend inwardly toward the base of the fixed channel l5 to form a cooperative relation with the Vertical sides Id thereof. The sides Ida of the outer channel are proportioned to cooperate with the outwardly eX- tending flanges of the fixed inner channel with a slight clearance, so that the inner member may readily slide within the outer member without direct contactual relation between the flanges, both inturned and outturned, with their cooperating channel, all contact being provided by the rolling contact of the ball bearings.

The base of the outer channel I4 and the inturned flanges I4b are preferably given aligned semi-circular contours extending in a longitudinal direction, whose radius of curvature in the transverse axis isapproximately the same or slightly larger than the radius of the spherical anti-friction means for which these semi-circular contours form runways I4c and I 4d. The runways I lic and ltd in the base of the channel I4 and the inwardly extending flange Mb are spaced in a vertical direction to provide a close lt for two anti-friction means positioned on opposite sides of each of the outwardly extending flanges of the inner channel which are juxtaposed between, as is clearly shown in Figure 4. This relation is provided between the outer andA inner channels at both sides of the channel members. The inwardly extending flanges are slightly sprung so that tensile stress will be placed upon the sides Ita when. the anti-friction members are mounted in position, which tends to press the spherical antifriction members Il into close contactual relation with the outwardly extending flange I 5b. In this manner, the resiliency of the material will maintain a close contactual relation between the runways and the anti-friction means to provide a smoothly operating device which will also be quiet inasmuch as the parts are resiliently held together to prevent rattling.

Four spherical anti-friction members are preferably provided to act together as a group between the inner and outer members as is clearly shown in Figure 4. Stops I8, which may be struck up nibs, are provided in the lower runways and on the outwardly extending flanges to limit the movements of the anti-friction means, while in the upper runways, rivets i9, which thread aligning apertures in the sides Ma of the outer channel, prevent movement of the spherical anti-friction members beyondva predetermined limitin the other direction. These, stops also tend to keep the anti-friction members grouped in close cooperative relation so as to .maintain theparts cf the runner undertension as has already been described. "Several groups of anti-friction members may be provided in spaced longitudinal relation to act between the outer and inner channels but at least two groups are used in the preferred embodiment disclosed in thedrawings.

The longitudinal displacement of the groups of anti-friction means provides several spaced points in both the longitudinal and transverse axes of the runners by which the movable member under load transmits the load to the iixed member. This spacing also prevents racking or binding of the movable member upon the Xed member' when load forces are applied tov the runners at asymmetrical locii such as is indicated by vectors in Figure 3. The asymmetrical force, such as generally applied by an operator seated at an end of the seat block during the adjusting period tends to create a couple acting in a lateral direction about the distal runner. The anti-friction means acting between the vertical surfaces Ide of the outer channel and the vertical surfaces IEa of the inner channel `prevent the couple from creating a disalignment between the inner and outer channels which is often the cause of racking or binding. The yball bearings acting between these vertical surfaces provide an easy gliding contact which allows relative movement in a longitudinal direction between the inner and outer channels in such a manner as to correct unfavorable force conditions and obviate the formation of the couple. The easy gliding relation between the horizontal and the vertical surfaces of the runners as provided by the ball bearings will prevent any racking or binding, and facilitate longitudinal adjustment.

Referring to Figure 1, a manually-controlled means is provided to cooperate between the two relatively adjustable channel-shaped members to lock them in adjusted position. A handle 20, which is suited for manual manipulation by the opera-tor, is positioned conveniently with reference to the seat block Il. Brackets 2I, which are preferably riveted to the movable member 1 I4, journal a longitudinally extending portion 26a of the handle and preferably maintain the portion 28a in a position displaced relatively above the outer channel-shaped member I4. Keyed to the end of the longitudinally extending section 20d, a cam member 22 is provided to cooperate with a transverse latch bar 23 by engaging an aperture therein. The transverse bar 23 is adapted to be reciprocated thereby in rectangular apertures 24 formed in the sides `of the movable channel-shaped member Ill. A downwardly extending lug 25 is provided on the transverse bar 23 to cooperate with an opening, which is preferably an extension of the aperture 24, to cooperate with the edge of one of the outwardly extending flanges ISU of the inner channel-shaped member I5. The edge of the ange Ib is provided with notches 26 spaced at predetermined distances, into which the lug 25 is adapted to seat and thereby provide a locking relation between the channel-shaped members, which prevents relative longitudinal movement between them.

Suitable spring means such as a spring wire 21 is provided to thrust the transverse bar 23 .in a direction to seat the lug 25 into the notches 26. The spring wire 21 is adapted to cooperate at its forward end with a notch 23a formed in the transverse bar, while its other end is anchored to the outer channel-shaped member I4 in any convenient manner, as for example, by threading spaced apertures 21a. l

The other runner I2 is similarly provided with a locking mechanism to selectively hold the mem i bers against relative longitudinal movement.

the .horizontal components.

Inasmuch as transverse bars of both runners are held in locked relation by their springs 21, it is essential to release transverse bars 23 of both simultaneously to move the seat block, and this end is conveniently attained by the use of only one manual means. A transverse rod 28 is provided which ties the transverse bars 23 0f the runners I2 and I3 together, so that they are capable of being actuated substantially simultaneously by manual manipulation of the handle 20. Downwardly extending portions 28a on rod 28 cooperate with apertures formed in the adjacent ends of the transverse bar. Saddle means 29 are provided at the point of cooperation between the transverse rod 28 and the transverse bar 23 to hold the rod and the bars in cooperative relation. The. rod 28 preferably transmits force from the transverse rod 23 positioned on the runner I3 to the transverse rod on the runner I2 by tensile stress. In this manner, the transverse bars of both runners I2, I3 may be reciprocated substantially simultaneously through manual manipulation of the handle 20 to release the lugs from the notches on the outwardly extending flange of the inner channel to allow longitudinal adjustment of the runners. After the release of the handle 2U, with the seat block in its newly adjusted position, springs 21 will urge vthe transverse bars in a direction so as to reengage the lugs with their cooperating notches to maintain the runners in locked position.

A novel feature of the structure disclosed resides in the manner in which load forces are transmitted between the movable and fixed portion ofthe runners whereby an unusual degree of stability is attained and at the Sametime ease of motion. during the adjusting period and freedom from racking or binding is not sacrificed. The ball bearings in this structure are maintained in spaced relation both in horizontal and vertical axes so as to define planes in which load forces are transmitted from one portion of the runner to the other. The positioning of the ball bearings between vertical surfaces on the runner portions prevents undesirable relative lateral motion between the runner portions which often causes racking or binding of the movable portion on the fixed portion as described above, particularly during the period in which it is being adjusted to a new position.

'Ighe channel-shaped members of the runners Y are inherently stii, which is increased further by the longitudinal corrugations or runways to provide a rigid supporting structure. 'Ihe upper anti-friction members, which carry the normal load as imposed by the seat block, tend to transfer the load to the flanges on the inner channelshapedmember along the lines of the vectors illustrated in Figure 4. The vectors have a horizontal component acting in a lateral direction having reference to the runners so as to abut the ball bearings against the raised portions |50 on the inner channel member which tends to balance This action further increases the stability of the seat adjusting de-` vice by tending to prevent relative lateral motion between the inner and outer members; the greater the load force, the greater the horizontal components, and the greater the constrictive force.`

When the seat is to be adjusted, a force must be applied to the seat block in a longitudinal direction of the lrunners to create a relative motion between the outer and inner membersk of each of the runnersV i2, i3. An operator seated in the drivers position behind the steering wheel, normallyqsits adjacent one end of the seat vblock as is indicated inFigure 3 by the dotted lines adjacent the right end of the ligure. From this position, the operator can conveniently avail himself of the handle to reciprocate the transverse bars 23 to release lugs 25 from their locking relation with the notches on the edges of the outwardly extending flanges. After the locking relation has been terminated, the operator applies a horizontal force to theseat block which he may obtain by placing his feet uponthe floor and pulling forward upon the seat block as is indicated by the vector in Figure 3. The Vector force applied asymmetrically to the seat block tends to create a couple acting on the left runner as is shown by the other vectors in the same gure. Inasmuch as the inner portion of the runner is' fixed and does not have the couple applied'toit, there is a tendency to disalign the portions of the ruimer and unless special provision is made to counteract the effect of the couple, there will be a tendency to bind or rack In the present structure, the ball bearings positioned between vertical surfaces overcome this binding action by creating an easy gliding relation between the inner and outer member which allows `ready movement of the outer member in a direction to overcome the non-alignment and, therefore, prevents lthe formation of the couple. In this manner, racking or binding is substantiallyprevented and a seat adjusting device is provided which eliminates the use of the cross bar as described above.

In Figuresv 3, 4, 5, and 6 a modincation of the latching device is illustrated, in which the handle adapted for manualmanipulation is made integral with the cam for actuating the transverse bar 23 which engages and disengages the lug 25 from the notches 26 in the fixed member. A bellcrank 30 is provided which is pivoted on a short shaft 3|, journaled in brackets 32 riveted' to the outer channel-shaped member I4. The long arm of the bellcrank is adapted to cooperate with the manual handle v3fm, while the short arm 33 of the bellcrank performs the function of the cam member as already described. The manual handle 39a extends perpendicularly to a convenient position readily available to an operator positioned on the seat block. l

In Figures '7, 8 and 9 another modification of the latching device is illustrated, in which a bellcrank is provided, the long arm of which cooperates with an upwardly extending vmanual handle 395 and vwhose short arm tilperforms a similar function as ythe cam member already described. The bellcrank is keyed to a longitudinally extending shaft 3B, which is journaled in apertures in a bracket 39 suitably attached to the outer channel-shaped memberA Hl. The shaft 38 extends a short distance beyond the forward terminus of the channel-shaped member I4 and is provided at its end with a depending arm 40 which is vkeyed thereto. The arm 40 is provided with an aperture with which cooperates a transextending versely extending rod il by means of a right l angle bend which projects through an aperture in the arm 49. The runner positioned at the opposite end of the seat block is provided in a similar manner in which the rod il cooperates with an arm similar to the arm lil to rotate the longitudinally extending shaft similar to the shaft 38, so that a cam member similar to the ,camr member 31 is adapted to reciprocate the transverse bar to release the latching lug from cooperation with notches formed on the xed member. In this manner, the manual handle 35 is capable of controlling both runners to release the lugs from their locking relation with the notches on the fixed member.

Referring to Figure 9, the notches provided in the fixed member to cooperate with the lug for locking purposes are positioned in short section li'of angle-iron, riveted securely to the base of the inner channel-shaped member. The cam member 3l is adapted to thrust the transverse bar to the left in this gure so as to release the lug from the notches in they angle-ironv section. To 'return the transverse bar so as to place the lug in locking relation with a notch, a spring means Q3, similar to the one already described, is provided to thrust the transverse bar to the right (Figure 9).

In this construction, the longitudinally extending shaft 38 is preferably positioned below the transverse bar, so that the cam member 3'! will thrust the transverse bar to the left upon actuation of the handle 36 to perform the unlocking as has already been described. With the longitudinal shaft 38 in this position and extending toward the forward end of the outer channel member M, the transverse rod 4|' is given better clearance than would be available if the transverse rod el extended to the opposite runner at a central position. In general, more clearance is available adjacent the front end of the runners, so that the transverse bar il may move without being impeded during the locking and unlocking periods of the seat adjusting device.

It is to be understood that the above detailed description of the present invention is intended to disclose an embodiment thereof to those skilled in the art, but that the invention is not to be construed as limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of being practiced and carried out in various ways without departing from the spirit of the invention. The language used in the specication relating to the operation and function of the elements of the invention is employed for purposes of description and not of limitation, and it is not intended to limit the scope of the claims beyond the requirements of the prior art.

What is claimed is:

l. In a device of the class described, a channelshaped vrunner with inturned flanges on each leg thereof, a second channel-shaped runner fitted between the inturned anges of the first channel-shaped member and having outwardly extending flanges to cooperate with the inturned iianges on the first channel-shaped member, spherical anti-friction means positioned between the base of the first channel-shaped member and the outwardly extending flanges of the second channel-shaped member, raised portions extending longitudinally on the second channel-shaped member rising above the level of the outwardly flanges to cooperate with the spherical anti-friction .members spherical anti-friction means positioned between the outwardly extending flanges on the second channel-shaped member and the inturnedlanges of the first channelshaped member, and means to lock the channelshaped membersin selected longitudinally-ad- Justed positions.

'in the angle between .thebott'om and the. `sides :of ithe first channel-shapedV rmember; Ispherical of the first channel-shaped member and `having l outwardly-extending flanges to. cooperate with the inturned flanges on the first channeleshape'd member, spherica1 anti-friction means positioned between and in lcontact with the outwardly- .extending flanges of thesecond channel-shaped member-.and the-legs ofthe angles formed between the bottom and sides of the first channelshaped member, and spherical anti-friction means positioned between and in contact with the legs of the angles formed between the sides and the inturned flanges of the first channelshaped member, said anti-friction means contacting the legs of the angles formed between the outwardly-extending flanges and the sides of the second channel-shaped member.

3. In a device of the class described, a channelshaped runner member with inturned flanges on each side thereof, a second channel-shaped runner member fitted between the inturned flanges of the first channel-shaped member and having outwardly-extending flanges to cooperate with the inturned flanges on the flrst channel-shaped member, raised portions adjacent the base of the outwardly-extending flanges of the second channel-shaped member extending longitudinally thereof, spherical anti-friction means positioned between the outwardly-extending flanges exteriorly of the raised portions of the second channelshaped member and the angles formed between the bottom and sides of the first channel-shaped member, and spherical anti-friction means positioned between the angles formed between the sides and the inturned flanges of the first channel-shaped member and the angles formed between the outwardly-extending flanges and the sides of the second channel-shaped member.

4. In a device of the class described, a channelshaped runner member with inturned flanges on each side thereof, a second channel-shaped runner member` fitted between the inturned flanges of the first channel-shaped member and having outwardly-extending flanges to cooperate with the inturned flanges on the first channel-shaped member, said outwardly-extending flanges being curved at their base to form an abutting surface, spherical anti-friction means positioned between the outwardly-extending flanges of the second channel-shaped member against the abutting surface thereof and the angles formed between the bottom and the sides of the first channelshaped member, spherical anti-friction means positioned between the angles formed between the sides and the inturned flanges of the first channel-shaped member and the angles formed between the outwardly-extending flanges and the sides of the second channel-shaped member, and means extending transversely of the first channel-shaped member to cooperate with the edge of an outwardly-extending flange of the second channel-shaped member to lock the channelshaped members in selected longitudinally-adjusted positions.

5. In a device of the class described, a channelshaped runner member with inturned flanges on each side thereof, a second channel-shaped runner member fitted between the inturned flanges of the first channel-shaped member` and having outwardly-extending flanges to cooperate with the inturned flanges on the first channel-shaped member, runways having a curved section formed anti-friction means having Aa radiusfjslightly lsmaller than the curvature of said runways positioned' between theoutwardly-extending flanges -of the secondiv channel-shaped' member; and said runways, a second set ofyrunwayshaving a curved section formedinythe angle betweenzthe'inturned flanges and sides ofthe.- rst ;chaImel-shaped member, and `spherical 'anti-friction means' posi- `tioned between said secondxset' of `runway's'and the angles formed between the sides and the outwardly-extending flanges of the second channelshaped member.

6. In a device of the class described, a channelshaped runner member with inturned flanges on each side thereof, a second channel-shaped runner member fitted between the inturned flanges of the first channel-shaped member and having outwardly-extending flanges to cooperate with the inturned flanges on the first channel-shaped member, runways having a curved section formed in the angle between the bottom and the sides of the rst channel-shaped member, spherical anti-friction means having a radius slightly smaller than the curvature of said runways pOsitioned between the outwardly-extending flanges of the second channel-shaped member and said runways, raised portions on said outwardly-extending flanges to form an abutting surface for said spherical anti-friction means, a second set of runways having a curved section formed in the angle between the inturned flanges and sides of the first channel-shaped member, spherical antifriction means positioned between said second set of runways and the legs of the angle formed between the sides and the outwardly-extending flanges of the second channel-shaped member, and means transversely movable of the first channel-shaped member cooperating with the edge of an outwardly-extending flange of the second channel-shaped member to lock the channelshaped members in selected longitudinally-adjusted positions.

7. In a device of the class described, a channelshaped runner member with inturned flanges on each side portion thereof, a pair of runways formed in the angles between the base and the side portions of the channel-shaped member, a second pair of runways formed in the angles between the side portions and the inturned flanges of the channel-shaped member, spherical anti-friction means positioned in each runway, the spherical anti-friction means contacting each side portion of the channel-shaped member being adapted to cooperate together, a member longitudinally movable relative to the channelshaped member positioned in parallel relation with the base of the channel-shaped member at a point intermediate between the base and the inturned flanges, being held in such relative position by cooperation with and the cooperative relation of the spherical anti-friction means contacting the respective side portions of the channel-shaped member, and vertically disposed abutting surfaces on said longitudinally movable member to cooperate with the spherical antifriction means to prevent lateral movement of the movable member.

8. In a device of the class described, a channelshaped runner member with inturned flanges on each side portion thereof, a pair of runways formed in the angles between the base and the side portions of the channel-shaped member, a second pair of runways formed in the angles between .the side' portions and the inturn'e'd -flanges'of the channel-shaped' member, spherical ase-'1,718

tive position by cooperation with and the cooperative relation of; the spherical anti-friction means contacting ythe respective side portions of the channel-shaped membenvertically disposed abutting surfacesl on said longitudinally movable member to cooperate with the spherical antifriction Ameans to prevent lateral' movement of the movable member,y and means to lock the channel-shaped member and the movable mem- 10 ber in selected longitudinally-adjusted positions.

THOMASr G. MOULDIN G. 

